Friends are part of our lives from the very beginning.  For some of us, our first friend was a toy or stuffed animal or maybe even an invisible friend.  Regardless, we are aware of their importance from the start.  I’m particularly blessed in this regard.  I have some great friends.  They accept me for what I am, who I am and what I have to offer.

One thing I have to offer my friends is the beauty of the lake.  On a hot summer’s day there’s nothing like sitting on the dock.  The lake and its surroundings envelop one in a comfy embrace.  It’s hard to believe the rest of the world exists.  Typically the air temperature is several degrees lower than in the Albany area.  The water temperature is holding at 79 degrees which is warm for the lake but still refreshing.

As an afternoon progresses I enjoy watching my friends become more relaxed.  Laughs become deeper and more frequent, we lose track of time.  There is no worry of how we look in bathing suits, if our hair is ok or even what we have to make for dinner.  Thoughts drift, stress diminishes, headaches cease.  We’re in the moment, something that is difficult to experience during the school year.

The importance of friends and friendship is a recurrent theme in The Quarry’s Child.  Two of the characters need to rely on one another because they are under suspicion of murder.  Friends come in all shapes, sizes, ages.  The novel explores the complexity of these relationships as the clues unravel on the way to the solution of the mystery.

I am tremendously thankful for the people I call my friends and I am humbled for them to return the favor.  Love you all so much.  I don’t know what I’d do without you.  (But next time remind me to get the Dove chocolates out of the fridge.)